Allahabad High Court Penalizes for Misuse of SC/ST Act
The Allahabad High Court issued a strict ruling against both the three victims and nineteen accused in a case under the SC/ST Act, 1989, exposing what it termed a "serious abuse" and "gross misuse" of the Act's provisions.
Court's Directions and Penalties
The bench, led by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, dismissed a criminal appeal filed by the nineteen accused under Section 14-A(1) of the SC/ST Act. The court ordered the victims—a Dalit woman and her two daughters-in-law—to repay the ₹4.5 lakh compensation they had received from the State Government.
Simultaneously, the court imposed a ₹5 lakh fine on the accused for manipulating the victim and attempting to obstruct justice.
Arguments Presented During Hearing
On November 4, 2025, the appellants' counsel claimed that the FIR was registered based on the complainant’s thumb impression. This claim was clearly refuted by the complainant's counsel, who stated no such FIR was filed by the victim.
"Noting that the complainant is a woman belonging to the SC community, the Court apprehended that the applicants might have approached her and exerted undue pressure upon her."
Summary
The Allahabad High Court condemned the exploitation of the SC/ST Act by both victims and accused, enforcing penalties to uphold justice and the integrity of the law.